A FALSE ALARM. 
381 
expected eveiy minute to meet with elephants, lions, or 
Caffres, either of whom would have been equally un- 
welcome. However, after pursuing the windings of this 
intricate path for a time, which appeared to us very- 
long, we succeeded in getting out of it, into ground 
covered with grass and bushes. 
Our worthy guide now expected to discover the road 
leading to Theopolis, but very soon our course was 
completely obstructed by an impenetrable thicket, which 
obliged us to retrace our steps and search for some 
opening in another direction. At length we discovered 
the path leading to Theopolis, along which we travelled 
till we arrived within a quarter of a mile of the place, 
when we were surprised by observing several musket- 
shots fired from a thicket which lay between us and the 
town, these were soon followed by others from different 
parts, and some from the front of a hill at a great dis- 
tance. On seeing all this bustle our friend Ulbricht con- 
cluded that the settlement was attacked by the Caffres, 
whom we suspected were between us and it. We halted 
to consider what was most proper to be done in present 
circumstances. In consequence of the darkness nothing 
could be perceived but the flashes proceeding from the 
muskets as they were fired off. We concluded it would 
be safest for us to remain silent, till the result of the 
combat could be ascertained, or to find an opportunity 
for passing the assailing Caffres. Dr. P. attempted 
three times to fire a pistol, which he had carried with 
him, as a signal to those at Theopolis that we were near, 
but from some cause it would not go off. 
We were soon afterwards relieved from our dilemma, 
by a Hottentot reaching us with the information that the 
town was not attacked, but that the people, in conse- 
quence of our absence so long after it was dark, were 
alarmed for our safety, and were firing off their muskets 
to intimidate Caffres should they be attacking us, or to 
encourage us if we were approaching. One man was 
